Torsion Damping apparatus for use with friction clutches in the power trains of motor vehicles

Abstract

A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

We claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for compensating for angular shocks, comprising a first rotary flywheel connectable with a combustion engine of a motor vehicle; a second rotary flywheel connectable with an input element of a transmission by way of a friction clutch, said flywheels being angularly movable relative to each other; and damper means for opposing angular movements of said flywheels relative to each other, said damper means including energy storing means acting in a circumferential direction of said flywheels, a hysteresis mechanism acting in parallel with said energy storing means, and a member arranged to operate said hysteresis mechanism and being non-rotatably connected with one of said flywheels, said member having portions extending substantially radially of said one flywheel when said member is connected to said one flywheel and said member defining with said hysteresis mechanism clearances extending in said circumferential direction. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said input element includes a rotary shaft of said transmission. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said member includes a part which is radially spaced apart from a rotational axis of said one flywheel, said hysteresis mechanism being adjacent said part of said member. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hysteresis mechanism includes elements which overlie said portions of said member, said portions of said member and said elements being movable relative to each other in said circumferential direction to an extent determined by said clearances. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said said member has radially outermost portions and said portions extending substantially radially of said one flywheel form part of or constitute said radially outermost portions of said member. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said energy storing means is located at a first radial distance from a rotational axis of said one flywheel and said hysteresis mechanism is disposed at a second radial distance from said axis, said second radial distance being greater than said first radial distance. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for limiting the angular movability of said flywheels relative to each other, said limiting means including abutments cooperating with said hysteresis mechanism. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said hysteresis mechanism includes components which are spaced apart from each other in said circumferential direction, which extend substantially radially of an axis of said one flywheel, which overlie said portions of said member, and which cooperate with said abutments to limit the extent of angular movability of said flywheels relative to each other. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said damper means comprises a first damper including said energy storing means and a second damper in series with said first damper and including second energy storing means. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus for compensating for angular shocks, comprising a first rotary flywheel connectable with a combustion engine of a motor vehicle; a second rotary flywheel connectable with an input element of a transmission by way of a friction clutch, said flywheels being angularly movable relative to each other; and damper means for opposing angular movements of said flywheels relative to each other, said damper means including energy storing means acting in a circumferential direction of said flywheels, a hysteresis mechanism acting in parallel with said energy storing means, and a member arranged to operate said hysteresis mechanism and being non-rotatably connected with one of said flywheels, said member having portions extending substantially radially of said one flywheel when said member is connected with said one flywheel, said hysteresis mechanism and said member having freedom of movement relative to each other in said circumferential direction. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said input element includes a rotary shaft of said transmission. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said member includes Part which is radially spaced apart from a rotational axis of said one flywheel, said hysteresis mechanism being adjacent said part of said member. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said hysteresis mechanism includes elements which overlie said portions of said member, said portions of said member and said elements having said freedom of movement relative to each other in said circumferential direction of said flywheels. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said portions of said member form part of or constitute radially outermost portions of said member. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said energy storing means is located at a first radial distance from a rotational axis of said one flywheel and said hysteresis mechanism is disposed at a second radial distance from said axis, said second radial distance being greater than said first radial distance. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for limiting the angular movability of said flywheels relative to each other, said limiting means including abutments cooperating with said hysteresis mechanism. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said hysteresis mechanism includes components which are spaced apart from each other in said circumferential direction, which extend substantially radially of an axis of said one flywheel, which overlie said portions of said member, and which cooperate with said abutments to limit the extent of angular movability of said flywheels relative to each other. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said damper means comprises a first damper including said energy storing means and a second damper in series with said first damper and including second energy storing means. 
     
     
       19. Apparatus for compensating for angular shocks, comprising a first rotary flywheel connectable with a drive shaft; a second rotary flywheel connectable with a force transmitting means, said flywheels being rotatable with and relative to each other about a common axis and said second flywheel being mounted on said first flywheel, said second flywheel including a portion extending substantially radially of said axis and confronting said first flywheel as seen in the direction of said axis and said portion of said second flywheel being substantially parallel to said first flywheel; a bearing interposed between said flywheels; resilient means disposed between and extending in a circumferential direction of said flywheels; and a hysteresis mechanism disposed between said flywheels and arranged to generate a frictional force in response to rotation of said flywheels relative to each other, said hysteresis mechanism and said resilient means cooperating with each other to damp torsional vibrations of said flywheels and said hysteresis mechanism being form-lockingly connected with said second flywheel and comprising energy storing means acting in the direction of said axis. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said drive shaft includes a crankshaft of an engine. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said force transmitting means includes an input shaft of a transmission. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said energy storing means includes a diaphragm spring. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said hysteresis mechanism comprises a friction ring. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first flywheel comprises an axial protuberance and said hysteresis mechanism is mounted on said protuberance. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said hysteresis mechanism surrounds said protuberance. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first flywheel comprises an axial protuberance and said bearing is mounted on said protuberance. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first flywheel includes a portion extending substantially radially of said axis and said hysteresis mechanism is disposed between said portion of said first flywheel and said bearing, as seen in the direction of said axis. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said bearing comprises at least one annulus of rolling elements. 
     
     
       29. Apparatus for compensating for angular shocks, comprising a first rotary flywheel connectable with a drive shaft; a second rotary flywheel connectable with a force transmitting means, said flywheels being rotatable with and relative to each other about a common axis through a predetermined angle between two end positions, said second flywheel being mounted on said first flywheel and including a portion extending substantially radially of said axis and confronting said first flywheel as seen in the direction of said axis, said portion of said second flywheel being substantially parallel to said first flywheel; a bearing interposed between said flywheels; resilient means disposed between and extending in a circumferential direction of said flywheels; a hysteresis mechanism disposed between said flywheels and arranged to generate a frictional force in response to rotation of said flywheels relative to each other, said hysteresis mechanism and said resilient means cooperating with each other to damp torsional vibrations of said flywheels and said hysteresis mechanism comprising energy storing means acting in the direction of said axis; and elastic means acting between said flywheels in said circumferential direction in at least one of said end positions. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said force transmitting means includes an input shaft of a transmission. 
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said drive shaft includes a crankshaft of an engine. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said elastic means comprises at least one coil spring. 
     
     
       33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said elastic means contains an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said energy storing means includes a diaphragm spring. 
     
     
       35. The apparatus of claims 29, wherein said hysteresis mechanism comprises a friction ring. 
     
     
       36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said first flywheel comprises an axial protuberance and said hysteresis mechanism is mounted on said protuberance. 
     
     
       37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said hysteresis mechanism surrounds said protuberance. 
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said first flywheel comprises an axial protuberance and said bearing is mounted on said protuberance. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said first flywheel includes a portion extending substantially radially of said axis and said hysteresis mechanism is disposed between said portion of said first flywheel and said bearing, as seen in the direction of said axis. 
     
     
       40. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said bearing comprises at least one annulus of rolling elements.